Message from His Eminence Beru Khyentse Rinpoche

Previously I have remained quiet but now the teaching of the precious Buddha Dharma is in jeopardy I must speak up.

My wish is for harmony in the Karma Kagyu lineage for the long-term future. I have no wish to be involved in any politics and I have no knowledge of any politics. I respect both 17th Karmapas and their Regents, and I respect all Karma Kagyu Rinpoches. For you to hear otherwise is misleading and wrong information.

We should study and practice the essence of the Dharma now while there is time and not get involved with politics. Why miss the opportunity to hear the precious teachings now by becoming fixated on Karma Kagyu politics, a politics that simply has no place in New Zealand.

His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa sent me to Australia and New Zealand in 1979 to establish Karma Kagyu centres on his behalf. I established Karma Tashi Choling in Australia and in New Zealand I helped develop Karma Thigsum Choling. I also established The New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust of which I was the director since 1979. In 1980 the 16th Karmapa requested me to be responsible for the New Zealand centre and stipulated that I send my own Lamas to the centre. I appointed Lama Samten and Lama Shedrup as resident Lamas. As you know the Trustee of the deed is the 16th Karmapa and He is the founder of The New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust and centre, and I am the spiritual director.

On my second trip to Australia and New Zealand in November 1993 I found that without my knowledge some unacceptable adjustments had been made to The New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust. At that time I had a meeting with the resident Lamas, lawyer and secretary about The New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust. The outcome of the meeting was that we reworded the Trust deed to restore the original intention of the document. On my departure I was under the belief that this was to be submitted to the courts. This was not done. Other adjustments were made without my authorisation, everything was decided by the resident Lamas and their disciples. The result of these decisions was against the 16th Karmapa's wishes and my own wishes.

As members and students of the Karma Choling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, it is your right to know of and request to see the original trust deed of The New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust, and to know how it has been modified, by what authority it has been modified, and the legality of any modifications.

Lama Samten, Lama Shedrup and Lama Assi are from my monasteries in Mainpat and Bodh-Gaya. Since childhood we grew up together and I am their root Guru. You may refer to our brief biographies on the New Zealand Karma Kagyu Trust web site---www.kagyu.org.nz

If you have any doubts or have any questions you wish to ask of me you are most welcome to come and see me during my upcoming visit to New Zealand. I will be in Auckland, Nelson and Christchurch from 23 October to 4 November.